Rapper DMX arrested in S.C. on charge of driving without a license

Rapper DMX was arrested in South Carolina early Wednesday on a charge of driving without a license. The rapper recently completed a stint behind bars after his probation was revoked for the same reason and because he refused to submit to a drug test.

The 42-year-old entertainer, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was arrested after police said they saw him leaving a gas station in Greer, in northwestern South Carolina, around 1 a.m., the Associated Press reported. He was taken to jail, then released after paying a fine.

Authorities said DMX had been issued tickets in other South Carolina cities, accused of driving without a license, and that a state DMV search indicated he had only a state ID card on him, according to local TV station Fox 10.

The "Ruff Ryders Anthem" rapper's 5-month-old daughter was in the back seat during the incident, according to an interview he gave Fox 10 as he was leaving the jail. Watch the video below.

"They followed me, watched me at the gas station get in the car. And he followed me around the corner, pulled me over. Why, first of all, he could have pulled me over at the gas station as soon as I got in the car. He didn't do that," the rapper told the news station.

"He followed me around the corner, pulled me over, knew I didn't have a license, put the 'cuffs on me, brought me here. I paid money when I could have just paid money right there on the spot. It's basically just five hours wasted for nothing, you know," he added. "I don't have a court date, I don't have a court appearance. Yeah. I just paid the money and went about my way, and I had my 5-month-old daughter in the car."

The "Party Up (Up in Here)" rapper was previously arrested on charges of speeding after officials said he was driving 102 mph in a Phoenix suburb. In 2008, he was arrested on drug and animal-cruelty charges following an overnight raid on his house.

Last year, DMX, who is known for barking during his songs, announced that he would devote his life to God, telling TMZ, "I am on a spiritual road to do right in my life. I am leaving out all negativity and going to stay on the right road to positive."